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Johnson Controls-Saft Announces Second Lithium-Ion Hybrid Battery Production Contract


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MILWAUKEE Wisconsin, October 14, 2008: Johnson Controls-Saft will be providing lithium-ion batteries for BMW's 7 Series ActiveHybrid car, currently being showcased at the Paris motor show. Lithium-ion batteries are 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than NiMH batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) on the road today.

The lithium-ion cells and modules will be produced at the Johnson Controls-Saft production facility in Nersac, France. The facility, which is the world's first production facility for lithium-ion batteries for HEVs, opened in January 2008 and is scaleable as demand increases.

"Johnson Controls-Saft is delighted to announce this contract with BMW for our lithium-ion technology. This contract consolidates our leading position in lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles," said Mary Ann Wright who leads the joint venture.

Johnson Controls-Saft is a joint venture that has brought together Johnson Controls -- the world's leading supplier of automotive batteries and a company deeply experienced in integrated automotive systems solutions -- with Saft, world leader in high technology batteries with extensive Li-ion battery expertise.

This contract is the second lithium-ion production contract for Johnson Controls-Saft. Additionally, the company has multiple development contracts underway for lithium-ion batteries for HEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.